The wives of presidential candidates Moon Jae-in of the Democratic United Party and independent Ahn Cheol-soo are emerging into the limelight as their husbands inch toward a coalition ticket.

Moon’s wife Kim Jung-suk and Ahn’s wife Kim Mi-kyung on Thursday visited the southwestern city of Gwangju, South Jeolla Province, the traditional stronghold of the opposition party.

They attended the opening ceremony of Gwangju International Festival in the evening. 

Moon’s wife was reportedly scheduled to visit Jeju Island, but changed her plans following visits by Ahn’s wife to Jeolla.

Moon’s wife has been taking on a more active role since the early stages of her husband’s campaign. Last month, Kim volunteered at a seniors’ facility in Gwangju, and later participated in a kimchi-making festival. She also visited a traditional marketplace and held a meeting with female college students.

Ahn’s wife, a professor at Seoul National University, also visited a traditional marketplace and May Mothers House, a gathering place for mothers who lost their husbands and sons in the 1980 Gwangju Democratic Movement.

She was born in the city of Suncheon, near Gwangju. When Ahn visited another South Jeolla city of Yeosu in late September, his wife called him “the son-in-law of Honam.” Kim’s parents live in Yeosu.

Honam refers to the region comprising North and South Jeolla provinces and Gwangju, the sixth largest city in the nation.

Ahn’s wife also met with the wife of the late President Kim Dae-jung, Lee Hee-ho, on Wednesday.

By Samuel Songhoon Lee (songhoon@heraldcorp.com)